Machine for making wire straps



Jan. 3, 1939. 4 EV s HALL 2,142,508

MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE STRAPS INVENTOR SLAM; img

Jan. 3, 1939i. E. s. HALL. 2,142,508

MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE STRAPS Filed sept. 2,'1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Jan. 3, 1939 MACHINE rFon MAKING WIRE STRAPS lEdwin S. Hall, New Haven, Conn., assignor to Griplock, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application September 2, 1937, Serial No. 162,098

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for making wire straps used for securing and reinforcing boxes', crates, or similar articles, and has for an object to provide means for forming a locking seal on one end of a continuous supply of wire and cutting the wire to form astrap of any predetermined length.

Another object of this invention is to provide a locking seal forming means in combination with mechanism, for actuating said forming means and thereafter actuating the feeding and cutting devices so that the series of operations is automatic, correlated, and continuous, and a relatively high speed in the manufacture of the straps may be attained.

Another object consists in providing certain improvements in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts whereby the above named and other objects may effectively be attained.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l represents a plan View of a portion of a wire strap forming machine having my invention incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 represents a vertical section taken in the plane of the line III-III of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the adjustable cam. for controlling the movement of the wheels for feeding the Wire forwardly;

Fig. 4 represents `a detail horizontal section, on a larger scale, of the mechanism for cutting the wire, bending the cut end and coiling the cut end upon the shank or body of the wire to form the locking seal;

Fig. 5 represents a vertical section taken in the plane of the line V-V of Fig. 4 looking in the directionof the arrows, showing the means for supportingthe shank or body of the wire and mandrel during a portion of the operation and the mechanism. for actuating said means;

Figs. v6 to 8, inclusive, represent vertical sectio-ns taken in the plane of the lines VI--VI to VIII-VIII, inclusive, of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the mechanism for coiling the cut end of the wire around the shank or body of the Wire and mandrel to form the locking seal section of the strap;

Fig. 9v represents a. View similar to Fig. 8 with the parts in another position;

Fig. l0 represents a similar View with the parts in still another position and the twister hook broken away to show the position the wire assumes in the helical groove when being bent aroundthe shank and mandrel;

Fig. l1 represents a vertical section taken in theplane of the line )H--XI of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the mechanism for cutting the wire; and

Fig. 12 represents a detail plan View of the coiled end of the wire which forms the locking seal of the strap.

The subject matter of this application is o-I" the same general nature as that disclosed in United States Patent No. 1,427,962, dated September 5, 1922, and it is calculated toform. the locking seal, feed the wire a predetermined distance away from the seal forming. means, and cut the wire from a continuous coil or supply of wire, but it differs materially in the provision of means for forming the locking seal, and in various features of construction and actuation oi the parts.

The frame of the machine comprises a base denoted by I and a series of vertical bearing posts which will be described in connection with the parts supported thereby. In the bearing post 2 there is adjustably secured a cylindrical member 3 having a central longitudinal bore 4 therein, through which the wire 5 from the supply coil (not shown) is moved and guided. This member 3 has formed intermediate its ends an enlarged portion 5 and on its end a pinion 'I, the function of which will be hereinafter explained. A mandrel B has one end secured in a recess 9 in the Wall of the bore 4 of the member 3 by means of a set screw I0 threaded in the enlarged portion G, while the other end is disposed to eX- tend beyond the pinion end of the member 3, so that the Wire 5 and mandrel 8 will be juxtaposed.

Interposed between the bearing 2 and the enlarged portion 6 of the member 3, there is mounted a sp-ur gear II having a hub I2 which rotates on the member 3.

A housing I3 is formed with a sleeve at one end which is fixed on the hub I2 of the spur gear I I and is rotated therewith. This housing I3 has an annular recess YI5 which receives the pinion 1 of the member 3 and also the spur gears I6, II and I8 formed with rollers I9, 25, 2l respectively. These rollers I9, 20 and 2| are mounted to rotate on studs 22, 23 and 24 respectively, fixed in the body of the housing I3. The spur gears I6, I'I and i8 are arranged to mesh with the pinion 'I on the member 3 sothat, as the housing I3 is rotated, the rollers I9, 20 'and 2l will be revolved around the wire 5 and mandrel 8 which extend outwardly from the member 3, and the rollers will also be rotated on their own axes, thus constituting a form of epicyclic means or mechanism.

Roller I9 is provided with an anvil or support 25 offset from its. periphery and outer end, while the roller 2l] has an anvil or support 26 similarly disposed. Theseanvils or supports are so timed with respect to the rotation of the housing that both will be brought toward the wire and mandrel and contact therewith to serve as supports therefor during certain periods of bending the Wire around its body or shank and also around the mandrel, as shown in Fig. 9.

The roller 2| is formed with a spiral groove 21 and terminates in a hook 28. This hook 28 is arranged to engage the free end of the wire, as shown in Fig. 9, after the wire end has been bent at right angles to the wire body, as will be eX- plained, and to start the wrapping of the same around the mandrel as shown in Fig. l0. After the end of the wire has been wound one turn around the mandrel, it automatically enters the spiral groove 21 and, as the roller 2| is revolved, the groove serves as a guide to wrap the wire around the mandrel until the end passes from the groove.

In order that the free end of the wire to be operated on may be brought upwardly into a lsubstantially vertical position so as to be engaged by the hook 28 of the roller 2|, there is provided a bender arm 29 having a shoulder 29*, which arm is adjustably fixed to rotate with a horizontally disposed shaft 39 mounted in bearing posts 3|, 32 on the base l. The outer end of the arm 29 carries a removable hardened contacting piece 33 which is secured thereto by a bolt 34 and nut 35. The upward rotary movement of the arm 29 and its contact piece 33 will bring the latter into engagement with the free end of the wire and bend it upwardly to be engaged by the hook 28 which forces it against the shoulder 29* to bend it rearwardly and direct it into the spiral groove 21 on the revolving roller 2|. To assist the arm 29 in obtaining the correct position of the bend in the wire, there is provided an upper finger 36 which extends laterally over the body of the wire and mandrel, and is carried by a plate 31. A similar nger 38 is also secured to the plate 31 and extends laterally therefrom into position under the wire and mandrel, so that the fingers 36, 38 straddle the wire and mandrel and serve as a steady rest during the twisting of the bent end of the wire around the body and mandrel. These fingers 36, 38 on the plate 31 are brought into and i out of operative relation with the wire and mandrel by means of a cam 39 fast on the shaft 38 and a bell crank lever 40 mounted to oscillate on a shaft 4| journaled in the post 2 and a post 42 on the base One arm 43 of the bell crank levez` 46 has fastened thereto the plate 31 carrying the fingers 36, 38, while the other arm 44 is provided with branches 45, 46 adjustably secured by a bolt 41 and carrying rollers 48, 49, respectively, for contacting with the cam 39.

After the end of the wire has been twisted around the body and mandrel by the revolving roller 2| and a predetermined number of coils formed to complete the locking seal, the wire supply is fed forwardly by the intermittently operated feeding mechanism. This feeding mechanism comprises a lower grooved wheel 59 mounted on a shaft 5| journaled in posts 52, 53 on the base I, and an upper friction wheel 54 mounted on a shaft 55 journaled in eccentric bearings 56, 51 carried by the posts 52, 53' respectively. The upper wheel 54 is moved into contact with the wire on the lower wheel 59 by means of an arm 53 arranged to oscillate the eccentric bearings and hence the shaft 55. The movement of the arm 58 is governed by a cam 59 upon which it rests and with which it is held in contact by a spring 69. The period of time during which the spring 60 is permitted to hold the wheel 54 in contact with the wire on the wheel 5|) is controlled by a slotted rotatably adjustable plate 6| secured to the cam 59 by a bolt 62 and nut 63. When the arm 58 is riding on the high perimeter of the cam 59 and plate 6|, the wheel 54 is held out of contact with the wire and wheel 50. When, however, the arm 58 rests in the recess or lower level 64 between the high portions of the cam and plate, the spring 60 attached to the arm rocks the eccentric bearings 56, 51 and lowers the shaft 55 so that thewheel 54 will frictionally engage and press the Wire on the wheel 50. During the period the wire 5 is gripped between wheels 5D, 54, the length of Wire forming the body of the strap being produced is rapidly advanced for delivery when severed by the cutting device 65.

This cutting device comprises a cutter 66 rigidly secured to the post 42 and a blade 61 removably xed to a frame 68 having its end bifurcated at 69 to ride on the hub 18 of the cutter 66. The frame 68 and blade 61 are reciprocated by means of an eccentric 1| fast on the shaft 3U, and ar ranged to be rotated in the end of the frame 68. As the shaft 30 and eccentric 1| are rotated, the frame 68 is reciprocated so that the blade 61 coacts with the cutter 66 to sever the body from the wire supply.

The timing of the several parts is such that, when the locking seal is completed, the body of the strap will be engaged by the wheel 54 and the seal passed between the cutter 66, blade 61 and through the bifurcated end 69 of the frame 68 while the blade is spaced from the cutter, and at this time the wire will be fed rapidly so that the desired length of the body of the strap will be obtained. After the desired length of strap from the wire supply has been passed between the blade and cutter, the eccentric 1| on the shaft 39 will actuate the frame 68 and move the blade 61 toward the cutter 66 to sever the strap from the wire supply. The cutter and blade may both be ad' justed rotatably to present new cutting edges to the work when desired.

'I'he parts of the machine are so co-ordinated that, upon the completion of the severance of the wire by the blade and cutter, the contact piece 33 on the arm 29 engages the free end of the wire supply at a point adjacent the end of the mandrel and fingers, and bends it upwardly against the nger 36 so as to be in position to be engaged by the hook 28 of the grooved roller 2|, when it is rolled over the body of the wire supply by the spiral groove 21 to form the coils of the locking seal.

The means for driving the several parts comprises, a main drive shaft 12 having a bevel gear 13 fixed thereon meshing with a bevel gear 14 fast on a shaft 15 journaled in posts 16, 11 on the base which shaft 15 has fixed thereon spur gears 18 and 19, of which the gear 18 meshes with a spur gear 89 pinned on the shaft 30, while the gear 19 meshes with the gear to actuate the housing I3. While I have shown no means for driving the wheel 50, it is to be understood that the shaft 5| may, if desired, be driven from a source of power (not shown) or it may be geared to the shaft 12 in any well known or approved way 'so as to facilitate the intermittent feed of the wlre.

In practice, the shaft 30 is geared to make one complete revolution for each strap formed; thus the cam 59 and plate 63 on the shaft 3U also make one revolution so that the wheel 54 will be raised during the formation of the locking seal and lowered thereafter to deliver the formed strap to be severed from the wire supply. The housing |3 which carries the rollers for Wrapping the free end of the wire supply around the mandrel and body, is designed to make approximately twelve revolutions to complete the locking seal.

The apparatus as a Whole is characterized by speed and smoothness of operation, accuracy in its effects, and uniformity in its product.

It will be understood that various changes may be resorted to in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several parts Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not intend to be limited to the details herein shown and described except as they may be included in the claims.

What I claim ist 1. A machine forforming locking seals onwire straps comprising, means for feeding the wire, means for bending an end of the Wire at an angle to its body, and epicyclic means for Wrapping the bent end portion around the wire body in open loops.

2. A machine for forming vlocking seals on Wire straps comprising, means for feeding the wire, means for bending an end of the Wire at an angle to its body, and epicyclic means for wrapping the bent end portion around the Wire body in open loops, said epicyclic means being apertured to permit the feed of the Wire therethrough in an axial direction.

3. A machine for forming locking seals on wire straps comprising, means for feeding the Wire,

means for bending an end of the Wire at an angle to its body, and epicyclic means for wrapping the bent end portion around the Wire body in open loops, said epicyclic means being apertured to permit the feed of the Wire therethrough in an axial direction and including a revolving and rotating grooved element.

4. A machine for forming locking seals on wire straps comprising, means for feeding the Wire, means for bending an end of the Wire at an angle to its body, epicyclic means for Wrapping the bent end portion around the Wire body in open loops, and intermittently operatingmechanisms for engaging the wire when its end is bent, for steadying the Wire While its bent end is being Wrapped around its body, and for severing a length of wire.

5. A machine for forming locking seals on Wire straps comprising, means for feeding the Wire, means for bending an end of the Wire at an angle to its body, epicyclic means for Wrapping the bent end portion around the Wire body in open loops, said epicyclic means being apertured to permit the feed of the Wire therethrough in an axial direction, and intermittently operating mechanisms for'engaging the Wire when its end is bent, for steadying the Wire While its bent end is being Wrapped around its body, and for severing a length of Wire.

6. A machine for forming locking seals on wire straps comprising, means for feeding the wire, means for bending an end of the Wire at an angle to its body, epicyclic means for wrapping the bent end portion around the Wire body in open loops, said epicyclic means being apertured to permit the feed of the wire therethrough in an axial direction and including a revolving and rotating grooved element, and intermittently operating mechanisms for engaging the wire When its end is bent, for steadying the Wire While its bend end is being Wrapped around its body, and for severing a length of wire.

7. A machine for forming locking seals on Wire straps comprising, means for feeding the Wire, means for bending an end of the wire at an` angle to its body, and epicyclic means for Wrapping the bent end portion around the vvire,l body in open loops, said epicyclic means including a plurality of elements that revolve around the wire and rotate on their own axes, part of said' elements serving to perform the Wrapping operation and part of said elements serving to support the wire during the wrapping operation.

8. A machine for forming locking seals on wire straps comprising, a continuous Wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body of the wire, a mandrel fixed in and proiecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged to engage the Wire and mandrel, a defiecting means co-operating with said oscillatory means for bending the Wire end at an angle to the body of the Wire, and an epicyclic mechanism inciuding a revolving element arranged to engage the bent end of the Wire for wrapping it in open coils around the body of the wire and mandrel. v

9. A machine for forming locking seals on Wire straps comprising, a continuous Wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body of the wire, a mandrel fixed in and projecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged to engage the Wire and mandrel, a deflecting means (zo-operating with said oscillatory means for bending the Wire end at an angle to the body of the wire, and an epicyclic mechanism including a revolving element having means to engage the bent end of the wire and form a bight therein, and being adapted to Wrap the remainder of the end of the ire in open coils around the body of the wire and mandrel.

l0. A machine for forming locking seals on wire straps comprising a continuous Wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body of the Wire, a lmandrel fixed in and projecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged to engage the wire and mandrel, a deiiecting means co-operating' with said oscillatory means forv bending the Wire end at an angle to the body of the wire, and an epicyclic mechanism including a revolving element having means to engage the bent end of the wire and form a bight therein and a groove -in its outer peripheral surface for receiving the remainder of the end of the wire and wrapping in open coils around the body of the Wire and mandrel.

ll. A machine for forming locking seals on Wire straps comprising a continuous wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body cf the Wire, a mandrel Xed in and projecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged to engage the Wire and mandrel, a deflecting means co-operating with said oscillatory means for bending the Wire end at an angle to the body of the Wire, and an epicyclic mechanism including a revolving roller having a hook on itsend to engage the bent end of the wire and form a bight therein and a helical groove in its outer peripheral surface for receiving the remainder of the end of the Wire and wrapping it in open coils around the body of the wire and mandrel.

A machine for forming locking seals on wire straps comprising a continuous Wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body of the Wire, a mandrel xed in and projecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged to engage the Wire and mandrel, a deflecting means co-operating 7| with said oscillatory means for bending the Wire end at an angle to the body of the Wire, and an epicyclic mechanism comprising a plurality of revolving elements, one of said elements being arranged to engage the bent end of the Wire for Wrapping it in open coils around the body of the wire and mandrel and the other revolving elements coacting with said rst named element to intermittently support the Wire and mandrel.

s 13. A machine for forming locking seals on wire straps comprising a continuous Wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body of the Wire, a mandrel fixed in and projecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged to engage the Wire and mandreL a deflecting means co-operating with said oscillatory means for bending the Wire end at an angle to the body of the wire, and an epicyclic mechanism comprising a plurality of revolving elements, one of said elements having means on its end to engage the bent end of the wire and form a bight therein, and being adapted to Wrap the remainder of the end of the Wire in open coils around the body of the Wire and mandrel, and the other revolving elements coacting with said first named element to interlrnittently support the Wire and mandrel.

14. A machine for forming locking seals on wire straps comprising a continuous Wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body of the Wire, a mandrel iixed in and projecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged to engage the Wire and mandrel, a deilecting means co-operating with said oscillatory means for bending the wire end at an angle to the body of the wire, and an epicyclic mechanism comprising a plurality of revolving elements, one of said elements having a hook on its end to engage the bent end of the Wire and form a bight therein and a groove in its outer peripheral surface for receiving the remainder of the end of the wire, and being adapted to wrap it in open coils around the body of the Wire and mandrel, and the other revolving elements coacting with said first named element to intermittently support the Wire and mandrel.

15. A machine for forming locking seals on wire straps comprising a continuous wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body of the Wire, a mandrel iixed in and projecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged to engage the Wire and mandrel, a. deflecting means co-operating with said oscillatory means for bending the Wire end at an angle to the body of the wire, and an epicyclic mechanism comprising a plurality of revolving elements, one of said elements including a roller having a hook on its end to engage the bent end of the Wire and form a bight therein and a helical groove in its outer peripheral surface for receiving the remainder of the end of the wire, and being adapted to wrap it in open coils around the body of the Wire and mandrel, and the other revolving elements coacting with said first named element to intermittently support the Wire and mandrel.

16. A machine for forming locking seals on Wire straps comprising a continuous Wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body of the wire, a mandrel fixed in and projecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged' to engage the Wire and mandrel,

a deflecting means co-operating with said oscillatory means for bending the wire end at an angle to the body of the wire, and an epicyclic mechanism comprising a plurality of revolving elements, one of said elements being arranged to engage the bent end of the wire for Wrapping it in open coils around the body of the Wire and mandrel, and the other elements being provided with offset portions arranged to coact with said iirst named element to intermittently support the wire and mandrel.

17. A machine for forming locking seals on Wire straps comprising a continuous wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body of the Wire, a mandrel fixed in and projecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged to engage the Wire and mandrel, a deflecting means co-operating with said oscillatory means for bending the Wire end at an angle to the body of the Wire, and an epii cyclic mechanism comprising a plurality of revolving elements, one of said elements having means on its end to engage the bent end of the Wire and form a bight therein, and being adapted to wrap the remainder of the end of the Wire in open coils around the body of the wire and mandrel, and the other elements being provided with offset portions arranged to coact with said rst named element to intermittently support the wire and mandrel.

18. A machine for forming locking seals on Wire straps comprising a Continuous Wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body of the Wire, a mandrel xed in and projecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged to engage the wire and mandrel, a deflecting means co-operating with said oscillatory means for bending the wire end at an angle to the body of the wire, and an epicyclic mechanism comprising a plurality of rel volving elements, one of said elements having a hook on its end to engage the bent end of the Wire and form a bight therein and a groove in its outer peripheral surface for receiving the remainder oi the end of the Wire and Wrapping it in open coils around the body of the Wire and mandrel, and the other elements being provided with offset portions arranged to coact with said first named element to intermittently support the Wire and mandrel.

19'. A machine for forming locking seals on wire straps comprising a continuous Wire supply, a severing device, a tubular member for guiding the body of the Wire, a mandrel fixed in and projecting from said guide member, an oscillatory means arranged to engage the wire and mandrel, a deflecting means co-operating with said oscillatory means for bending the Wire end at an angle to the body of the Wire on said oscillatory means, and an epicyclic mechanism cornprising a plurality of revolving elements, one of said elements including a roller having a hook on its end to engage the bent end of the Wire and form a bight therein and a helical groove in its outer peripheral surface for receiving the remainder of the end of the Wire and Wrapping it in open coils around the body of the wire and mandrel, and the other elements being provided with offset portions arranged to coact with said rst named element to intermittently support the Wire and mandrel.

EDWIN S. HALL. 

